A Theory of Good City Form

Book Description

Available in paperback under the title Good City Form

Customer Reviews:

The power of practical urban design theory.......2007-06-13

As one who straddles the two worlds of practice and scholarship with great ease and comfort, I am struck by that rare work of craft which is at once profoundly thoughtful as well as clearly directed. Most serious scholars bend over backwards to embrace the myth of "objectivity", while most practitioners salivate over superficial "best practices". Kevin Lynch's masterpiece, Good City Form, avoids both traps while offering a template for judging the effectiveness of different types of urban form and providing a guide for successful urban design projects. His starting points, a masterful overview of models of urban form throughout history and a sensitive ode to humanist values, help establish a foundation for performance dimensions to measure "good city form": Vitality, Sense, Fit, Access, Control, Efficiency and Justice. I would highly recommend this book to reflective practitioners, scholars interested in the practice of urban design, and others simply interested in shaping the future of our cities. In addition, the book works well with two others as an excellent advanced introduction to the field of urban design: "The City Shaped: Urban Patterns and Meanings Through History" by Spiro Kostof, and "Urban Design Downtown: Poetics and Politics of Form" by Anastasia Loukaitou-Sideris and Tridib Banerjee.

Good City Form.......2001-07-24

In the world of urban design, obsessed with spectacular novelty and superficial aesthetics, this ambitious and profound work of Kevin Lynch is refreshing, yet enduring. He suggests a theory of urban design based on fundamental human values and examines how such values lead to the notion of a "good city form". His performance dimensions (e.g. access, fit, vitality) are broad enough to be interpreted and re-interpreted for specific contexts and sites. And the appendix, which briefly summarizes other theories of city form, is a tour-de-force by itself. A masterpiece which deserves greater attention and consideration, especially by those under the illusion that urban design is more or less architecture writ large!

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The Good City

Manufacturer: Beacon Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Essays & Travelogues | Reference & Tips | Travel | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0807071439

Book Description

The Good City presents a vivid new profile of Boston through the work of fifteen of the city's finest writers. Robert Campbell and Jane Holtz Kay on Boston's embrace of lively urban density James Miller on the city's intellectual history Jack Beatty on Boston's colorful political past and present Patricia Powell on the literary landscape and the immigrant experience Susan Orlean on the city she left and now loves John Hanson Mitchell on how nature revives the metropolis Anita Diamant on Boston as a spiritual home Scott Kirsner on Boston as a powerhouse of scientific and technological innovation Alan Chong on the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum and the arts in Boston Lynda Morgenroth on the city's neighborhoods Michael Patrick MacDonald on gentrification and what it means to old neighborhoods like Southie Derrick Jackson on Boston as a laboratory for advancing race relations Howard Bryant on the city's obsession with sports Irene Smalls on seeing the city through the eyes of a child.

An excellent spirit forms the character of a good ruler: Illustrated in a sermon preached before the honourable General assembly of the state of Connecticut, ... in the city of Hartford, May 14, 1812

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An excellent spirit forms the character of a good ruler: Illustrated in a sermon preached before the honourable General assembly of the state of Connecticut, ... in the city of Hartford, May 14, 1812
Moses C Welch
Manufacturer: Printed by Hudson and Goodwin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

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A Theory of Good City Form
Kevin Lynch
Manufacturer: The MIT Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OR3PAG

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Helped me a lot.

Great for developing abstract ideas

An Artist's comments

Bits and pieces. Not great, but not bad, either.

A little Over My Head

Beyond Realism: Art Techniques to Expand Your Creativity
Brian Ryder
Manufacturer: David & Charles Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Instructional & How-To | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
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Abstract Painting: Concepts and Techniques

Abstraction in Art and Nature

The New Creative Artist: A Guide To Developing Your Creative Spirit

The New Acrylics

Acrylic Revolution: New Tricks & Techniques for Working With the World's Most Versatile Medium

ASIN: 0715311654

Book Description

Painting in a semi-abstract style is an exciting challenge for artists--but just how do you translate the scene before you into a dynamic composition? Thoroughly practical, with step-by-step demonstrations clearly showing the progression from initial inspiration to a finished work and a comprehensive techniques section concentrating on unusual effects of color and texture, Beyond Realism is the perfect introduction to abstract art.

Customer Reviews:

Helped me a lot........2007-04-07

I ordered this book because I've been stuck trying to do realistic art. I love to look at abstract art and believe this book is helping me make the transition from one to the other. It gives step by step instructions from the original vision to color studies to the finished piece of art.

Great for developing abstract ideas.......2007-03-07

"Beyond Realism" by Brian Ryder combines inspiration and technique, helping artists to move from realistic forms of painting to the more inventive form of abstract art. This is no small step, as this kind of art requires the ability to express intangible ideas in visual form - while still keeping to the basic principles of good art. Ryder's book provides a great start in making this leap.

In the introduction, the author explains that abstract art is the artist's interpretation of reality (as opposed to reflecting it.) He discusses the work of some of his favourite abstract artists, and illustrates the text with accompanying photographs. After displaying a gallery of his own work, Ryder proceeds to give step by step demonstrations on ten different subjects. These demos vary in interpretation and style from an impressionistic landscape, to bold abstracts that develop the interplay of pure form, texture and colour. In other words, it shows there is an infinite variety in abstract art.

What I especially like about this book is that each example is accompanied by photographs taken as if the reader is looking over the artist's shoulder and watching him at work - the next best thing to a video. Ryder demonstrates "adventurous painting techniques" in acrylic and oil mediums, combining both with other mediums to create a range of textures and effects. In the accompanying text, he virtually thinks out loud as he develops the painting, giving his reasons for the choices he is making.

This book is not for the beginner, but it is great for any artist of some experience who wants to know how to "translate" ordinary everyday objects and scenes into an abstract painting. Ryder mentions that he often does a series of paintings on one subject in which he experiments with different treatments of it. If you have previously painted in a more realistic style, following his process can encourage you to be more exploratory in your own work.

To extend the ideas in this book, I particularly recommend "Painting the Spirit of Nature" by Maxine Masterfield as well as "Celebrate your Creative Self" by Mary Todd Beam, both of which show the development of abstract ideas.

An Artist's comments.......2007-01-11

I found this work very much to be on my wavelength. Some illustrations were more traditional than I had hoped but some will provide me with stimulation to be even more abstract in my approach to landscape.

Bits and pieces. Not great, but not bad, either........2006-11-08

There are some interesting techniques illustrated in this step-by-step art manual, but there are frustrating holes in the book's how-to-do-it instruction, too. A lot of pages are devoted to rather stingy content. It seems the world is still waiting for a truly good book on the techniques of making abstract art. Maybe -- just maybe -- it's something that can't be learned from a book. In any case, you'll find a few nuggets of gold among the dross, and that's enough to merit buying this book. If you get a few useful ideas, it's worth the price.

A little Over My Head.......2006-03-10

The basic information in the book is pretty good, but as a beginer it's over my head. Still, it has some pretty interesting stuff and examples. Book deserves 5 stars, I just chose wrong one.

Book Description

Recorded history is a finely-woven magic fabric of intricate lies about events predating the sixteenth century. There is not a single piece of evidence that can be reliably and independently traced back earlier than the eleventh century. This book details events that are substantiated by hard facts and logic, and validated by new astronomical research and statistical analysis of ancient sources.

Customer Reviews:

Calculations are only as good as your numbers.......2007-08-03

Yes, we can all agree that mainstream history is nearly 100% BS due to politics, economics, ego, problems with dating techniques, and various conspiracies. Agreed. But, I've been researching the distinct possibility that human history (in terms of civilizations) are much more ancient than we've been told, so coming across this book was very interesting to me. I wondered how Fomenko could be wrong (if at all) because he is very persuasive in his presentations. Then it dawned on me. If at previous times in prehistory, due to the various catastrophies that are well documented (comets, asteroids, planetary disruptions, plasma discharge, pole reversals, etc) the Earth was in a different position in relation to the sun, different tilt on its axis, different orbit, different rotation (in terms of velocity and DIRECTION), and the continents were in different positions, then would this not cause the ancients to see the sky (constellations) differently? In other words, is Fomenko making erronious assumptions about the physics of the Earth in pre-history, which then corrupt his data with regards to dating the relevant astrology? The last event to seriously disrupt our planet occured roughly 3500 years ago, according to other good researchers, so is it possible Fomenko has been confused by this? The vastly different physics of our planet in the not so distant past may explain this confusion, which is not to say the "mainstream" version of history is correct; on the contrary. I am not an expert in these fields, but wanted to see if this idea could spark discussion.

Pants on fire?.......2007-07-19

Will people ever read before spamming? Yes, Jesuits could not rewrite world history alone, they had help. Anyway, Dr Prof Acad A.Fomenko does not point to jesuits as the driving force of world wide history manipulation in published volumes 1,2,3;, actually he barely mentions the poor devils. Check it with 'Search inside' feature, please. China is rarely mentioned either, in fact, Dr Fomenko is completely eurocentric. Right, his theory contradicts all mainstream schools of history, because in their actual state they are all built on blatantly erroneus chronology. You don't need a mysterious cabal (conspiracy) to falsify history, the falsification is its modus operandi. It is inherent to history(ians) to falsify (distort) events, as it is inherent to humans to boast as it is inherent to power (authority) to legimize itself by referrring to glorious past made to its own order. Dr Prof Fomenko and team have identified scores of instances of such manipulation in Russian, European, etc.. history, and delivered valid statistical proof thereof. His own 'reconstruction' is completely another story. Forget c14 as a valid method of dating. W.Libby has initially discovered a brilliant method of INDEPENDENT dating. Too bad, c14 method has become a joke after a forced marrige with dendrochronology with consensual chronological scale inbuilt. Radiocarbon method can't stand blind tests, but is so very productive as a rubberstamp.

Accepted History & Chronology Must Be Changed. .......2007-04-09

There is no doubt that history as most know it is a sham, & institution's version of History both University & Church is fradulent & inaccurate. Everything was established with an agenda, The real "Dark Ages" are now when we have access to incredible amounts of information past authorities & more important 'common folk' didn't have but our institutions & educators are slow to evolve because of what has ignorantly & arrogantly been taught for too long. This is on many subjects not just Chronology.

For anyone to question "Why would a Mathematician have anything credible to say of History?" The answer is from Dr. Fomenko's preface in the book: "It would be worthwhile to remind the reader that in the XVI-XVII century Chronology was considered to be a subdivision of Mathematics." These volumes could possibly be some of the most important works to date & should be read by everyone with an interest in History, especially professors & educators who have a duty to the public. I have read both books & must say that 'Chronology 1' has some very eye opening & revolutionary information. Even if these volumes are part true the implications are profound & opens the doors to further investigations & questions which must be done. I speak several different lanquages & must say the logic Dr. Fomenko uses with "inflection" of words & words being read from left to right in one region & right to left in another then written backwards, the removal of vowels & get down to basics of words, or different cities & locations having the same name etc. is correct. Vowel usage has always been optional & varied, actually complicating linquistics & study. The first thing one has to understand is that words never had a fixed spelling in history like we do now, the spelling of words was mutable & regional, as well as names & titles of people were vast, varied & changed, NOTHING WAS FIXED or understood linear. Matters of Life & Death as well as financial profiteering yesterday & today were & are made with ignorant, illogical & conspiratorial views of history & reality, it's time people get closer to the Truth & society collectively grow up.

Very Interesting.......2007-03-07

It is a good proposal and I believe it will mature into something even better in the future. I think it deserves to be read.

History as Science Fiction.......2007-01-10

Anatoly Fomenko has written a very intriguing book, full of pictures, charts, and computer 'proof' of his thesis: backwards of AD900 we don't really know what happened or when. Between AD900 and AD1600 there is more certainty, but there is still a lot of fuzzy ground, and things don't get reliable until we get past the 1600's where the printing press made it very difficult for the perpetrators of this timeline manipulation to change anything that had been committed to print. The Dark Ages did not happen. Books were burned for a reason. One organization has doubled the actual length of its existence by expanding the real chronology. Read why.

I had always wondered why Christ died about AD33 and yet men waited until the 11th century to form the Knights Templar, the Cathars, etc and go after the Holy Land by force. Why the 1000 year gap? Turns out there wasn't more than a 10-12 year gap and he proves it using astronomy. This also implies that the planet is not as old as we have been told, and current Christian and other creationist scientists are already championing that idea without being aware of Fomenko's book. The two groups, creationist scientists and the Russian mathematical analysts corroborate each other. Fascinating.

Of course, all this flies in the face of what we have been told traditionally is the 'proper' chronology of western civilization, and most readers will experience 'cognitive dissonance' in reading this book. It means that our history going backwards from AD1600 becomes progressively more incorrect and unreliable until it cannot be trusted at all... in the space of 700-800 years.

Naturally, the curious, open-minded reader will want to know WHO did this, WHY, and did any of the events we think of as really ancient ever happen?
Dr. Fomenko is a respected scientist/mathematician at Moscow State University who has already answered these questions to the satisfaction of his initially skeptical colleagues. Most of them are now believers, a few still refuse to believe (the usual diehards), and of course the western press has ignored Fomenko's work -- for obvious reasons when you read the book. The ones who perpetrated this chronology ruse have a lot to answer for. They are still with us. That's why this book is a well-kept secret.

I gave the book a 4-star rating because I was unable to check out some of his claims; those I checked were as he said. But if even 1/3 of his claims are true, this punches a big hole in what we think is our history, the meaning of western civilization, our educational process (for repeating the ruse as gospel), and the trustworthiness of the organization that perpetrated this ruse, well-intentioned or not.

This book relates to current research into a Young Earth paradigm, to John Keel's discoveries about our planet, and Fr Malachi Martin's insights (in his now out-of-print books). We are indeed sheep who are manipulated and kept ignorant -- for a reason. While knowing what these men have to say may be the "booby prize" (as in: 'what can you do with this knowledge?'), it will provide interesting reading. Didn't someone say: "...and the Truth will set you free."?? For you to judge if this book contains the truth.

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Outtakes Deluxe
Luxury of Space

Luxury of Space
Oberto Gili
Manufacturer: Assouline
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Architectural | Photography | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 2843235219

Book Description

Fleeting human moments memorialized by Oberto Gili's camera translate formally into beautifully balanced classical images. His camera, like his personality, is whimsical, questioning, nonjudgmental and tenderly objective. Gili's images of interiors capture fundamental moments of human existence, quiet moments and basic needs, whether it's a man sitting on his couch surrounded by his dogs, a young couple getting into bed, a woman watching herself getting dressed in the mirror or a girl swimming alone in a pool, we experience narrative, isolation, intrusion through Gili's lens. Gili shows us different perspectives of home: color, happiness, sex, depression, arrogance, creativity, simplicity, boredom. The images in this stunning volume are a diary of the interiors and situations that have, over the last thirty years, struck Gili's curiosity and fantasy the most. Simple, still and understated, Gili's images of interiors all have possibility as their subtext.

Customer Reviews:

Outtakes Deluxe.......2007-09-13

A very personal glimpse into the files of one of the greatest domestic style photographers ever. This selection of images is quite different from what the magazines that hire Gili typically run. A portrait of artist emerges.

Luxury of Space.......2003-12-10

Oberto Gili's first book is really a masterpiece... I'm waiting for the second!

For all van kind: with plenty of cargo space and luxury features, these minivans are one giant leap for your business.(Wheels): An article from: Entrepreneur

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For all van kind: with plenty of cargo space and luxury features, these minivans are one giant leap for your business.(Wheels): An article from: Entrepreneur
Jill Amadio
Manufacturer: Entrepreneur Media, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

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This digital document is an article from Entrepreneur, published by Entrepreneur Media, Inc. on April 1, 2005. The length of the article is 339 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: For all van kind: with plenty of cargo space and luxury features, these minivans are one giant leap for your business.(Wheels)
Author: Jill Amadio
Publication: Entrepreneur (Magazine/Journal)
Date: April 1, 2005
Publisher: Entrepreneur Media, Inc.
Volume: 33 Issue: 4 Page: 26(1)

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The future of space tourism: space travel is now a luxury of the elite but millions of people are eager to go.: An article from: The Futurist

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The future of space tourism: space travel is now a luxury of the elite but millions of people are eager to go.: An article from: The Futurist
Philippe Vulliamy , and Paul Darling
Manufacturer: World Future Society
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

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This digital document is an article from The Futurist, published by World Future Society on September 1, 2002. The length of the article is 821 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: The future of space tourism: space travel is now a luxury of the elite but millions of people are eager to go.
Author: Philippe Vulliamy
Publication: The Futurist (Magazine/Journal)
Date: September 1, 2002
Publisher: World Future Society
Volume: 36 Issue: 5 Page: 52(2)

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Inner space: moving Lincoln from a second-string has been to a premium luxury brand won't be easy, but the division's chief designer, Gerry McGovern, has ... article from: Automotive Design & Production
Christopher A. Sawyer
Manufacturer: Gardner Publications, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

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This digital document is an article from Automotive Design & Production, published by Gardner Publications, Inc. on July 1, 2002. The length of the article is 1159 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Inner space: moving Lincoln from a second-string has been to a premium luxury brand won't be easy, but the division's chief designer, Gerry McGovern, has a strategy to do just that while redefining the term "American Luxury". (Design).
Author: Christopher A. Sawyer
Publication: Automotive Design & Production (Magazine/Journal)
Date: July 1, 2002
Publisher: Gardner Publications, Inc.
Volume: 114 Issue: 7 Page: 32(2)

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Leisure time for the wealthy is well-spent on their 'investments'; the rich continue to plunk down millions on lavish toys such as luxury yachts.(SPECIAL ... An article from: San Diego Business Journal

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Leisure time for the wealthy is well-spent on their 'investments'; the rich continue to plunk down millions on lavish toys such as luxury yachts.(SPECIAL ... An article from: San Diego Business Journal
Pat Broderick
Manufacturer: Thomson Gale
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital
ASIN: B000WE2AXE
Release Date: 2007-09-24

Book Description

This digital document is an article from San Diego Business Journal, published by Thomson Gale on July 30, 2007. The length of the article is 1393 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Leisure time for the wealthy is well-spent on their 'investments'; the rich continue to plunk down millions on lavish toys such as luxury yachts.(SPECIAL REPORT: Finance/Wealth & Estate Planning)
Author: Pat Broderick
Publication: San Diego Business Journal (Magazine/Journal)
Date: July 30, 2007
Publisher: Thomson Gale
Volume: 28 Issue: 31 Page: 25(2)

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Saab offers a practical addition to luxury SUVs.(Sport Utility Vehicles) : An article from: San Diego Business Journal

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Saab offers a practical addition to luxury SUVs.(Sport Utility Vehicles) : An article from: San Diego Business Journal
Cordell Koland
Manufacturer: Thomson Gale
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

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ASIN: B000FNVPNI
Release Date: 2007-05-21

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This digital document is an article from San Diego Business Journal, published by Thomson Gale on February 27, 2006. The length of the article is 778 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Saab offers a practical addition to luxury SUVs.(Sport Utility Vehicles)
Author: Cordell Koland
Publication: San Diego Business Journal (Magazine/Journal)
Date: February 27, 2006
Publisher: Thomson Gale
Volume: 27 Issue: 9 Page: 39(1)

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Book Description

In Rubes Then & Now, internationally syndicated cartoonist Leigh Rubin delivers probably the most important tool we'll need to survive the passage of the millennium: humor. Each section of Then and Now brings us a subtly twisted "take" on conventionally accepted views of our past and present. By poking fun at all peoples and topics, from the lives of cavemen, Biblical figures and other notables to the struggles of environmentalists and the present-day actions of society, Rubin shows us that life should not be taken too seriously, at least not in the world of Rubes! These delightfully simple cartoons can be enjoyed by "children" of all ages, including the one inside each of us. Rubes Then & Now is a fun-filled way to look back into our past and to speculate on just where we might be headed in the next millennium in this crazy mixed-up world of ours.

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